Tom adjusted the small mic affixed to the neckline of my dress. “Ladies and gentlemen, here to provide this evening’s opening address, I have the pleasure of introducing the founder of the Halo Foundation, and the woman behind tonight’s fabulous event, Miss Charleston Smith.” Tom cued me, and I stepped onto the stage as the clapping grew louder at my introduction. It was a small stage and only took a few paces of my long legs to reach Kevin. He welcomed me in a dramatic showboat of a hug, no doubt for the guests’ benefit, and as we separated, he squeezed my shoulder in comfort, no doubt for my benefit, before he exited the stage and left me alone. My hands gripped the edge of the podium and I looked down at my speech. I didn’t need to read it. It wasn’t very long and I’d memorized it weeks ago. Nevertheless, I was comforted by the safety net it provided. “Good evening, everyone.” I smiled as a hush fell over the crowded room and all remaining eyes came to me. This was always the hardest part of the speech, the hook.
